Conservation Security Sign-up is Announced

More than 23 million acres could be impacted.

Mar 19, 2008

Starting on April 18 about 64,000 farms and ranches can begin signing up for the Conservation Security Program. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced sign-up Wednesday and says more than 23 million acres in 51 watersheds will be eligible for the program.

"As President Bush has said, those who depend on the land to make a living are the best stewards of the land," says Schafer. "Since the first sign-up in 2004, CSP has offered payments for enhancing natural resources, rewarding those farmers and ranchers who are model conservationists, and providing incentives for other producers to achieve those same high standards of conservation in agriculture."

Details of program requirements as well as the sign-up announcement will soon be published in the Federal Register. Sign-up will be open from April 18 until May 16. For more information about CSP, eligible watersheds and CSP self-assessment workbooks contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or click HERE.